FRIGID New York Festival 2011 – Five Questions For: FUNNY A Trunk Show

Welcome back to another installment of FRIGID New York Festival 2011 Q&A! We’ll be running these throughout February until the Festival starts, so be sure to check back to read all about the great shows that will be taking part in the festival. Also – don’t miss the winner-take-all game of Rock Paper Scissors! Today’s Q&A is with Denmo Ibrahim who is the Creator and Performer of FUNNY A Trunk Show.

Inspired by a true story, FUNNY A TRUNK SHOW looks at what we leave behind in our search for the American dream. A smash up of clown, bouffant and immigrant interviews, this 45 minute fast paced epic reveals a heartbreaking tale — a patriotic Egyptian, who will always be seen as an outsider despite his ability to vote. Hilarious, moving, and undeniably real.

FUNNY a trunk show featuring Denmo Ibrahim (Photo by Wesley Cabral)

answers by Denmo Ibrahim, Creator and Performer

Antonio Asks:What makes FRIGID such a warm and welcoming experience for your production?

Well, we’ll have hot cider, chestnuts, and smores by the fireplace in Under St. Marks. So if you’re cold and like sweet things come see FUNNY. So this isn’t exactly true but we’ll have pretzels. Or at least pens. Yes, I’ll bring a pen and your bring yourself and together we’ll feel sweet while we warm ourselves by the idea of fire.

Diánna Asks: What about this play do you feel most drawn to personally, and because of that, what message do you hope the audience walks away with?

Dianna, you beautiful being, I’m glad you asked. Inspired by a true story, FUNNY a trunk show looks at what we leave behind in our search for the American dream — from the perspective of the eternal foreigner living in the U.S. This show smashes traditional clown, vaudeville, and bouffant with real life accounts of an incredibly heartbreaking tale — a patriotic Egyptian immigrant, who will always be seen as an outsider despite his ability to vote. Funny, moving, and undeniably real.

Karen Asks: That’s some title. How did you come up with it – and what does it mean?

Karen — love your question. The title of the show came from a deep desire to make people laugh, to create a piece that was human, funny, and of the now. The trunk show concept dates back to medicine shows which travelled all over the US in the 1800′s and is used now to mean an eclectic collection, a special deal, a one of a kind. So — naturally that made me think, of course! Mohamed’s story must be called FUNNY a trunk show. I’m sure you can see why.

Stephen Asks: You must have a favorite part of your show. What makes it your favorite?

Oh Stephen, thank you for this! I love the costume, the wig, the moustache, the long underwear, the play with the audience, the laughs,the tears, the glasses, and the free dance break. You’ve got 6 chances to see what I mean!

Lina Asks:How much of your show was inspired by true events?

The piece is based on the true story of my father who kidnapped my brother and I at age 5 from NY and brought us to live in the slums of Egypt. Years later, we were rescued by my mother and turned into pretty normal people. Now the story is a a bit depressing but the show is actually very funny so don’t be afraid. FUNNY a trunk show is much more about looking at American through the lens of the foreigner and the hilarious absurdities immigrants go through on the day to day.

THM Bonus Question: If you could play a virtual game of Rock, Paper, Scissors with another FRIGID Show which show would you take on? And what would you throw?

I’d play with the Superwoman show for sure — and I’d wait half a second to see what she threw and then do something else.

Wow, FUNNY, FRIGID doesn’t have a Superwoman show! So I’m going to assume you mean Wonder Woman: A How To Guide for Little Jewish Girls.

Thanks FUNNY A Trunk Show – for participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2011 Q&A. And for playing our game! You’re officially – well, you found a loophole. So you’re officially the winner. You’re so far the only one’s who’s gamed the game – so congratulations! This is how it works in the crazy world of the VIRTUAL ROCK PAPER SCISSORS TOURNAMENT!

Meanwhile, for the rest of you – don’t forget to check out FUNNY A Trunk Show!

FUNNY
A trunk showPresented by Denmo Ibrahim San Francisco, CAUNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place) $15Thu 2/24 @ 9pm, Sat 2/26 @ 5:30pm, Sun 2/27 @ 5:30pm, Tue 3/1 @ 7:30pm, Sat 3/5 @ 1pm, & Sun 3/6 @ 4pmFRIGID New York Festival 2011 will run February 23-March 6 at The Kraine Theater & The Red Room (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery) and UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1sr Ave and Ave A). Tickets ($10-$16) may be purchased online at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444. All shows will run 60 minutes long or less.